Zagros trekking tour detailed itinerary

Day1 : Arrival Isfahan (1550m)

Arrival to Isfahan, Transfer to the hotel and rest.

Accommodation : Hotel

Day2 : Isfahan sightseeing

Today is a full day city tour through the “Garden of Eden”. For thousands of years, the city’s lifeline has been the Zayandeh Rud River, which transports vital water from the Zagros Mountains to the oases.

It also gives off a pleasant freshness in summer. Isfahan has a great variety of attractions and it would take at least 4 days to see them all. Most sights can easily be reached on foot. Almost all tours start at the Great Square Meydane Imam with its gigantic dimensions of 150 m wide and 500 m long. This central Imam Square, the hub of the city, is always bustling with activity on public holidays and Friday evenings.

The residents of the city are lying in the green areas, tea is steaming on the samovar they have brought with them, there is a barbecue and the wonderful life is celebrated. Travelers are quickly invited for a cup of tea and experience authentic Iranian hospitality.

After visiting the square, visit the Aliqapu Palace, the Imam Mosque and stroll through the colorful bazaar. It is a place where you can stroll along like a dream without ever having seen enough. You will also visit the Shaik Lotfollah Mosque, an architectural masterpiece of Iranian architecture, and the Siosehpol Bridge with its brilliant 33 arches (built in 1602/290 m long/14 m wide).

Pol-e Khadjou Bridge is considered the most beautiful bridge in Isfahan with its two-story arcades (built in 1630/115m long/13m wide) and is considered one of the landmarks of Isfahan. It also established the connection to the highway to Shiraz. In addition to the Ali Qapu Gate Palace, other architectural masterpieces and sensations await your visit.

Accommodation : Hotel

Day3: Isfahan – Shahr-e-Kord – Chamangoli – Lebd village(1900m)

Today you will be transferred by car to the idyllic and traditional village of Shahr-e Kord. After crossing the Zarhdkouh Mountains through the Chery Passage (3,400m), head into the Bazoft Valley to the south and on to the town of Chamangoli. From Chamangoli drive along the Bazoft River towards the village of Lebd, nestled on the edge of Mount Keynoo (3,600m).

•  Transfer: 6 hours (330 km)
• Accommodation : El. 1900m , Local house

Day4: Start of the hike through wild Zagros mountains to Lirook village(1400m)

After breakfast, your trek to Lirook village will begin on a dirt road leading to Lirook Dam. After a 2-hour walk, you will pass the Bakhtiari River over a suspension bridge that was built for the construction of a dam.

It feels like a magical gateway that connects you to one of the most virgin areas in the Zagros Mountains. After a 2-hour walk you will reach the village of Lirook. In this traditional village live approximately 50 inhabitants in about 10 houses.

The inhabitants are mainly ranchers with their goats and sheep and live in simple houses made of wood and stone. Spend an unforgettable night with one of the families in this village. Here you will experience what authentic and warm hospitality of the Bakhtiari nomads (the largest population in the Zagros Mountains, living there for thousands of years) means.

• Trekking ↑↓ approx. : -500m ,  5 hours
• Accommodation: El. 1400m , Local house

Day 5: Trekking from Lirook to Keynoo forest (1700m)

Today you will start your trekking towards Lake Tembi and experience your first camp in the mountains of Keynoo Forest (1,550m). On this day you will pass the huge and majestic Bakhtiari River by Gar Gar (Pulley).

Here you will hike along one of the most important passes of the Bakhtiari nomads. These migrate from south to north in spring (April-May) to find fresh grass for their animals and from north to south in autumn (November-December). Learn more about the special nomadic life of the Bakhtiari groups !

• Trekking ↑ approx. : 300m ,  7 hours
• Accommodation: El. 1700m , Tent

Day 6: Trekking from Keynoo forest to Tembi lake (2300m)

After spending a night in the impressive Oak Forest (Keynoo Forest) and enjoying the wonderful peace and serenity, start your trek along the Bakhtiari Pass. There you will visit one of the highest and most remote mountain lakes of the Iran Plateau.

With a height of more than 2,400m, the Tembi Lake is a real beauty and gives the landscape that “icing on the cake” of a special kind. The great view of the Keynoo Mountain (3,600 m) attracts the Bakhtiari like a magnet in summer -Nomads looking for a moderate weather and enough water for their animals. After visiting this lake, continue your trekking to find a nice and relaxing campsite near the lake.

There is a possibility that you can visit some nomads in their tents in the evening and thus learn something about the life of the nomads and get to know the extraordinary hospitality.

• Trekking ↑ approx. : 600m , 7 hours
• Accommodation: El. 2300m , Tent

Day 7: Trekking from Tembi lake to Selili(1700m)

Today you will experience trekking to the Selili Sadle (2,900m), a very important passage in the Zagros Mountains, used by nomads for thousands of years.

This saddle is the border between Central Zagros and South Zagros. From here, enjoy spectacular views of the 4,000m peak to the north, as well as views of Mount Keynoo.

This place is the best place for nomads in warm summer where they can find fresh grass for their animals. Descend on an ancient path built on rocks over thousands of years and set up camp south of Selili at around 1,600m.

• Trekking ↑ approx. : 600m , 3 hours
• Trekking ↓ approx. : 1200m , 4 hours
• Accommodation: El. 1700m , Tent

Day 8: Hiking into Darreh Tazeh valley – Chal-e-Sese(1500m)

Today you will hike along a dry, seasonal river that cuts through narrow valleys. These valleys are sometimes only a few meters wide and are extensively surrounded on both sides by high rocks.

Finally, after a 4-hour walk, you reach the beginning of the Darreh-Tazeh valley at 1,200m altitude, where a romantic river flows. Fed by the river, the valley presents itself in lush fresh green and allows you an unforgettable night near the Darreh Tazeh River.

• Trekking ↓ approx. : 200m , 8 hours
• Accommodation: El. 1500m , NomadTent

Day 9: Excursion to Chal-e-Sese and getting acquainted with the lifestyle of Bakhtiari nomads

Today you spend all day in Chal-e-Sese. This beautiful and green area where a group of nomads live together will be your next camp.

You spend the whole day in this area and have enough free time to communicate with the people and learn about their customs and their special lifestyle. It is possible to go hiking in the area with the nomads and their animals. In the evening dinner with the nomads.

• Accommodation: El. 1500m , Nomad Tent

Day 10: Trekking to Doorak and Darkhalak valley(1200m)

The day begins with a simple breakfast prepared by the nomads. Afterwards you will say goodbye to your hosts and start your trekking along the wild river. After about 2-3 hours you will reach Doorak at 1,100m altitude.

A wide area where you can see the first dirt road. From here it is again possible to drive into the city with 4×4 vehicles. However, you leave the road and continue trekking towards Darkhalak valley at 900m altitude. The day will end in a nomad tent.

• Trekking ↓ approx. : 300m , 6 hours
• Accommodation: El. 1200m , Nomad Tent

Day 11: Continue trekking to Baba Roozbahan (800m)

Today you will experience your last adventurous trekking in Zagros Mountains. After crossing a nameless saddle, you come to the Darkhalak Valley, the last great valley in the south of Zagros.

Crossing the magical oak forest, you come across the last saddle from which you can see the main road “Road to the holy shrine Baba Roozbahan” at 600m altitude. Many locals gather here on holidays to visit the holy shrine. Then drive to Baba Roozbahan and stay with a homestay

• Trekking ↓ approx. : 400m , 6 hours
• Accommodation: El. 800m , NomadTent

Day 12: Drive to Ahvaz

After breakfast, once all the luggage is loaded and you have said goodbye to the escort crew of the last few days, you will drive in 4WD vehicles and in a permanent up and down of the serpentine roads to Lali, the first town in the province of Khoozestan.

This road connects many nomadic areas and villages in northern Khoozestan to Lali and takes about 7 hours. From Lali you continue to Ahavaz .

• Transfer: 4 hours (220 km)

Zagros trekking tour services included

• Full board (all meals are included)
• All transfers & sightseeing trips in private vehicles
• All entrances fees
• Accommodations  in simple local houses, tents in Zagros trekking tour and 4 stars hotel in Isfahan
• Luggage transport by mules
• English speaking mountain and trekking guide
• Local guide in zagros trekking

Zagros trekking tour required equipment

• Base layers
• Backpack (30 to 40 Liter)
• Wind stoppers (polar jacket)
• Warm trekking pants
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm hat
• Trekking boots
• Sleeping bag (comfort level :+5)
• Warm gloves
• Sunglasses
• Sun creams
• Headlight
• Sticks , poles
• Mattress